Other Courses

We often run workshops and short courses at different locations around Kent. Look out for these on our website. Prices vary between £40 and £90 depending on the type/length of the workshop.

If you only have one person who requires training look out for details of our open courses. Anyone can book and they take place in a variety of locations. These are advertised on our Website, Twitter, Linked in and Facebook. If you don’t see an open course in your area, contact us, and we may consider running one.

We also train other packages such as SAGE, Adobe products (Dreamweaver, Indesign, Photoshop etc), AutoCad, and Mailchimp. Please contact us for more information and costs.

Course outlines

Below are our standard course outlines. It is possible to tailor these to suit your requirements. For example some organisations like to take a few topics from the Introduction course and a few from the Intermediate course.

Microsoft Excel - Introduction

Pre-requisites

Delegates should have basic keyboard and mouse skills and be familiar with working in the Windows environment. Use of another Microsoft Office application would be beneficial.

Course Objectives

To understand spreadsheet terminology

To create a simple spreadsheet

To enhance the appearance of a spreadsheet

To print a spreadsheet

Course Contents

Introduction to Spreadsheets

Terminology – spreadsheet, workbook and worksheet

Getting Started with Excel

The Excel screen

Opening, closing and saving

Cells and Cell Ranges

Moving around a worksheet

Inserting/deleting rows, columns and cells

Entering Data

Entering Text and numbers

Editing cells

Formula and Functions

Creating and entering formula

Autosum

AVERAGE, MIN, MAX and COUNT

Relative and absolute cell references

AutoFill

Using autofill to create formulas, dates and headings

Moving and Copying

Cut/copy/paste

Drag and drop

Formatting

Text and numbers

Changing column widths and row heights

Printing

Previewing before printing

Changing the page setup

Page layout

Miscellaneous

Cell, worksheet and workbook protection

Freezing panes

Splitting windows

Microsoft Excel - Intermediate

Pre-requisites

Delegates should be competent using the keyboard and mouse, and be familiar with working in the Windows environment. Attendance of the Microsoft Excel Introduction course or thorough equivalent experience is essential.

Course Objectives

To create and print charts

To create more complex spreadsheets

To create template spreadsheets

To use Excel as a simple database

Course Contents

Formulae

Formulae – revision and practice

Autosum

AVERAGE, MIN, MAX

Relative and absolute cell references

Creating Charts

Creating column, line and bar charts

Creating charts on different sheets

Formatting Charts

Printing Charts

Working with Multiple Sheets

Inserting, Deleting, Moving and Copying Sheets

Renaming Sheets

Grouping Sheets

Creating Linking and 3-D Formulas

Linking Workbooks

Linking Formulas across Workbooks

Updating Links

Further Formatting

Conditional Formatting

Databases

Terminology

Creating a Database

Using the Data Form

Sorting

Filtering

Microsoft Excel - Advanced

Pre-requisites

Delegates should be confident in working with the Windows environment. A very sound background of designing Excel spreadsheets through attendance of the Microsoft Excel Introduction and Intermediate courses or equivalent experience is essential.

Course Objectives

To create powerful spreadsheets through the use of advanced functions

To analyse data held as a database

To summarise large amounts of data

Course Contents

Naming Cells

The Name Box

Name Manager

Define Name

Using Names in Formula

Create names from selection

Advanced Functions

Date and Time

Logical (Nested and Multiple IF)

Lookup Tables

Text Functions

Data Validation

Database Features

Advanced Filters

Database Functions

Subtotals

Pivot Tables

Importing and Exporting

Importing Text Files

Macros

Creating Macros

Assigning a Macro to a Button

Running a Macro from Shortcut Keys

Microsoft Word - Introduction

Pre-requisites

Delegates should have a basic keyboard and mouse skills and be familiar with working in the Windows environment. Use of another Microsoft Office application would be beneficial.

Course Objectives

To understand the screen layout and access functions using the ribbon

To create, save, open and close documents

To edit and format text

Use bullets, numbering and tabs

To add borders and shading to text

To change page set up

To print the finished document

Course Contents

Getting Started with Word

Using the Ribbon, Tabs, Groups and Commands

Using the Help facility

Up and Running

Creating a new document

Entering and editing text

Saving, closing and opening a document

Printing and Views

Print preview

Print options

Zoom facility

Document Views

Moving and Copying

Cut, copy and paste

Drag and drop

Formatting Text

Selecting text

Clear formatting

Undo and redo

Working with fonts

Format Painter

Spelling and grammar check

Page Setup

Changing page orientation

Setting margins

Working with Paragraphs

Paragraph Alignment

Bullets and numbering

Borders and shading

Microsoft Word - Intermediate

Pre-requisites

Delegates should have basic keyboard and mouse skills and be familiar with working in the Windows environment. Attendance of the Microsoft Word Introduction course or thorough equivalent experience is essential.

Course Objectives

To learn to work quickly and efficiently with Word

To create and apply styles

To create a document based on a template

To create and manipulate tables

Add headers, footers and page numbering

Enhance documents using graphics, shapes and SmartArt

Course Contents

Working with Word

Keyboard shortcuts

Dialogue Box Launcher

Hiding the Ribbon

File Formats and Compatibility

Research, Thesaurus and Translate Tools

Line Spacing

Changing line spacing

Paragraph alignments and indents

Bullets and Numbering

Creating Styles

Quick Styles

Creating styles

Applying and modifying styles

Creating and applying a quick style set

Tables

Creating a table

Entering data in a table

Formatting tables

Changing the appearance of the table

Adding borders and shading

Applying a table style

Entering formulae

Headers and Footers

Adding headers and footers and page numbering

Section Breaks

Creating continuous and next page section breaks

Creating Template Documents

Creating a template

Editing and renaming templates

Graphics

Inserting ClipArt and WordArt in to a document

Downloading Pictures from the web

Creating and manipulating shapes

Inserting and editing SmartArt Graphics

Recolour graphics

Using text boxes

Adding captions to pictures and graphics

Microsoft Word - Advanced

Pre-requisites

Delegates should have basic keyboard and mouse skills and be familiar with working in the Windows environment. A very sound background of Microsoft Word through the attendance of the Microsoft Word Introduction and Intermediate courses or equivalent experience is essential.

Course Objectives

To create powerful documents through the use of advanced functions

To improve ease of use and effectiveness

To understand Word’s capabilities

Course Contents

Working with different versions of Word

Quick Access Toolbar

File Extensions and types

Working With Long Documents

Outlining a long document

Using different views such as full screen reading, and web layout

Manipulating text in outline view

Inserting a bookmark and caption

Inserting a table of contents

Creating an index

View Documents Side by Side

Tracking

Word tracking facility

Accept and Reject changes

Protect document

Linking and Copying Between Applications

Mail Merge

Creating a mail merge document

Creating a data source file in Word

Applying queries

Merging and printing

Creating mailing labels

Protection

Password protection

Document protection

Forms

Constructing on-line forms

Inserting and controlling form fields

Protecting forms

Advanced Table Features

Converting text

Updating field codes

Automated Commands

AutoCorrect

Macros

Microsoft PowerPoint - Introduction

Pre-requisites

Delegates should have a basic keyboard and mouse skills and be familiar with working in the Windows environment. Use of another Microsoft Office application would be beneficial.

Course Objectives

Create and edit an existing presentation

Add new slides and change the slide layout

Enhance the look of the presentation using a colours and themes

Review the final presentation and be able to print relevant slides

Gain tips for improving the content and design of slides

Course Contents

Getting Started with PowerPoint

The PowerPoint Screen

Microsoft Office Button

Using the Ribbon, Tabs, Groups and Commands

Navigating through slides

Saving and closing a presentation

Opening an existing presentation

Saving a presentation as an earlier format

Creating a Presentation

Entering Text

Selecting text using placeholders

Using slide layouts

Improving slide content

Formatting & Editing

Applying colour and a Slide Theme

Working with different fonts

Working with bullets

Inserting, moving and deleting graphics and objects

Inserting, moving and editing a text box

Viewing the Presentation

Inserting and deleting slides

Changing slide order

Working in different views

Adding notes to the presentation

Working with Slide Objects

Creating and editing Charts

Inserting and editing SmartArt Graphics (eg organisation charts)

Insert a Word Table

Reviewing the Presentation

Using the Spelling and Grammar Check

Researching words or phrases from the presentation

Using the Thesaurus

Translating words or phrases

Preparing the Slide Shows

Inserting headers/footers and slide numbers

Adding transitions between slides

Adding animation

Running your presentation

Running a slide show

Navigating through a presentation

Ending a show

Printing

Printing slides, handouts and notes pages

Changing slide orientation

Microsoft PowerPoint - Advanced

Pre-requisites

Delegates should have keyboard and mouse skills and be familiar with working in the Windows environment. A very sound background of Microsoft PowerPoint through the attendance of the Microsoft PowerPoint Introduction/Intermediate courses or equivalent experience is essential.

Course Objectives

To create powerful documents through the use of advanced functions

To improve ease of use and effectiveness

To understand PowerPoint’s capabilities

This course is designed for the experienced user who wants to develop their understanding of advanced features. PowerPoint advanced reflects the knowledge of those tools that improve ease of use as well as the effectiveness of the user.

Course Contents

Creating Templates and Slide Masters

Using the Slide Master

Notes and Handout Master

Creating a template

Editing a template

Graphics & Film Clips

Inserting logos & designs

Inserting graphics

Creating a Photo Album

Including Movies and Sounds

Arranging, grouping and layering graphics

Drawing tools, cropping graphics

Add effects to pictures

Working with multiple presentations and files

Insert/Re-use slides from other presentations

Moving text and objects between presentations

Using paste special

Linking using Hyperlinks and Action Buttons

Package file to CD

Custom Shows

Customising Powerpoint

Keyboard Shortcuts and the ALT key

Customising the Quick Access Toolbar

Advanced Formatting

Replacing fonts

Changing the slide background

Formatting bullets with symbols

Find and replace

Slide Shows

Rehearsals and timings

Screen pointer options

Hiding slides

Custom Animation

Perfecting Your Presentation

Impact of colour

Subject impact

Timing

Tips and tricks to ensure presentation success.

Microsoft Access - Introduction

Pre-requisites

Delegates should be competent using the keyboard and mouse, and be familiar with working in the Windows environment. Use of another Microsoft Office application, preferably Excel, would be beneficial.

Course Objectives

To understand basic database terms and concepts

To store and work with data

To ask questions of your data

To create reports from your data

Course Contents

Introduction to Databases

What is a Database?

Terminology

Moving from Excel

Getting Started with Access

Running Access

Creating a New Database

The Database Window

Access Objects

Creating Tables

What is a Table?

Creating Fields and setting Properties

Importing a Table

Table Templates

Working with Data

Viewing, Entering, Modifying and Deleting data

Navigating around Data

Sorting Data

Searching and Filtering Data

Creating Queries

What is a Query?

Choosing Fields

Entering Criteria

Creating Calculations

Finding Top Values

Grouping and Totalling

Running a Query

Creating Forms

What is a Form?

Using AutoForm

Modifying the appearance of a Form

Using a Form

Creating a Report

What is a Report?

Using a Report Wizard

Modifying the appearance of a Report

Previewing and Printing a Report

Microsoft Access - Intermediate

Pre-requisites

Delegates should have basic keyboard and mouse skills and be familiar with working in the Windows environment. Attendance of the Microsoft Access Introduction course or thorough equivalent experience is essential.

Course Objectives

To understand relational database concepts and build a relational database

To ask complex questions of your data

To utilise Word and Excel when working with data

To simplify tasks for other users of your database

Course Contents

Table Design

What is an Index?

Relationships explained

Creating a Multiple Table Database

Setting Relationships

Enforcing Referential Integrity

More on Queries

Multiple Table Queries

Finding Unmatched Records

Parameter Queries

Cross Tabulations

Analysing/Integrating with Excel

Action Queries

What are Action Queries?

Update Queries

Make Table Queries

Append Queries

Delete Queries

More on Forms

Using the Form Wizards

Main Forms with Sub Forms

Linked Forms

Placing Buttons on Forms (see An Introduction to Macros below)

More on Reports

Grouped Reports

Detail and Summary Reports

Publishing a Report with Microsoft Word

Creating Mailing Labels

An Introduction to Macros

What is a Macro?

Creating a simple Macro

Attaching Macros to Buttons on Forms

Microsoft Outlook

Course Objectives

To be able to make effective use of Outlook.

Learning how to integrate all the messaging, planning, scheduling, organisation and management tools into one simple and flexible system.

Course Content

The Inbox Folder

Creating a mail

Addressing a mail

Spellchecking and formatting

Sending & receiving mail

Replying/forwarding

Additional mail features

Out of Office Assistant (only available on Exchange Server)

Rules for incoming mail

Address books, global address lists & distribution lists

The Contacts Folder

Adding a contact

Integration with other Outlook features

Amending/deleting a contact

The Calendar Folder

Viewing the calendar screen

Creating appointments and setting reminders

Duplicating appointments & recurring appointments

Amending/deleting appointments

Rescheduling/adjusting duration

Creating an event or a meeting

The Task Folder

Viewing the Task screen

Creating a task and amending a task

Recurrent tasks

Deleting / amending a task or recurrent tasks

Integrating the task list with other Outlook features

The Journal Folder

Overview of main functions

The Notes Folder

Creating a note

Amending/deleting notes

Microsoft Visio

Pre-requisites

Delegates should be confident in working with the Windows environment.

Course Objectives

After completing this course you will know how to:

Create drawings

Manipulate stencils

Select, scale and resize objects

Plan flowcharts

Use formatting options

Create background pages

Use other drawing types

Course Content

The Visio environment

Visio basics

Navigating in Visio

Using windows and stencils

Manipulating objects

Drawing tools

Basic shapes and lines

Compound lines

Editing objects

Basic diagrams

Planning your diagram

Creating a basic diagram

Working with text

Working with organization charts

Formatting drawings

Formatting basics

Formatting text blocks

Formatting shapes and lines

Working with pages

Creating and setting up a drawing

Working with background pages

Working with links

Printing diagrams

Network and brainstorming diagrams

Network diagramming

Rack diagrams

Brainstorming diagrams

Introduction to advanced features

Advanced layout and connection techniques

Custom properties

Reporting

MailChimp

Pre-requisites

Delegates should have a basic keyboard and mouse skills and be familiar with working in the Windows environment.

Course Objectives

Mailchimp is a free service if you have less than 2000 subscribers and send less than 12000 emails per month. Learn how to create an account, set up a campaign, create and maintain lists of your customers, and view the reports on your campaign.

Course Content

Getting Started with Mailchimp

Signing up

Linking to other social media accounts

Entering specific information for your organisation

Creating and Sending a Campaign

Selecting a template

Formatting and editing your campaign

Previewing and sending a test email

Using Merge Tags

Creating Lists

Starting a list

Importing a list from other apps such as Excel

Add to your list

Sending to a proportion of your list using segments

Building your mailing list

Create a signup form, and post it to Twitter and Facebook to add to your mailing list.

Reports

Viewing reports

Exporting reports to Excel

Avoiding Junk

Hints and tips to avoid emails being sent into Junk folders

Introduction to Computers

Pre-requisites

This course is for those who have no or very little experience of using a computer or laptop. It will start from the beginning, and give you the opportunity to ask questions and practice at your own pace.

Course Content

Using Windows

Starting the computer

Mouse Actions

The Screen

Using the Desktop

Minimise, Maximise and Resize buttons

Creating a Basic Document

The Keyboard

Selecting a template

Cut, Copy and Paste

Copy and Pasting text and images

Moving text and images

Email

What is Email

Sending an Email

Replying to an email

Forwarding an email

Creating a Basic Spreadsheet

Viewing reports

Exporting reports to Excel

The Internet

What is the Internet

Finding your way around

Searching for information

Smarter Working - 'Tame your e-mails'

Struggling with e-mails, feel the in-box is out of control or too big?

E-mails hard to face, difficult to prioritise or a worry?

Want to gain time and save money in your business?

This workshop is for you!

Workshop Aims for you

1. to be aware of the key decisions you need to make to tame your e-mails 2. to be more self-aware of how e-mails affect your thinking, efficiency and effectiveness 3. to change to increase productivity and profitability 4. to develop your workstyle 5. to know ways to be more productive 6. to draw up an action plan